U.S. patent number 11,301,046 [Application Number 16/632,174] was granted by the patent office on 2022-04-12 for electronic apparatus, information processing device, and information processing method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. The grantee listed for this patent is Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Ichirou Higuchi, Norikatu Ito, Tomoko Katsuhara, Takeshi Koizumi, Akihiro Shoei.
United States Patent |
11,301,046 |
Shoei , et al. |
April 12, 2022 |
Electronic apparatus, information processing device, and
information processing method
Abstract
An electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present technology includes an apparatus body, a pressure detector,
and a controller. The apparatus body includes a principal surface,
and a peripheral surface that is held by a user. The pressure
detector is arranged on the peripheral surface, and detects a
holding force that acts on the peripheral surface. The controller
controls an operation of the apparatus body according to a temporal
change in the holding force detected by the pressure detector.
Inventors: |
Shoei; Akihiro (Miyagi,
JP), Katsuhara; Tomoko (Kanagawa, JP),
Higuchi; Ichirou (Kanagawa, JP), Koizumi; Takeshi
(Miyagi, JP), Ito; Norikatu (Aichi, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sony Corporation |
Tokyo |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation (Tokyo,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
65015703 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/632,174 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2018 |
PCT
Filed: |
June 06, 2018 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP2018/021656 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
January 17, 2020 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2019/017099 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
January 24, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20200225752 A1 |
Jul 16, 2020 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jul 20, 2017 [JP] |
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JP2017-140974 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
3/017 (20130101); H01H 36/00 (20130101); G06F
3/0346 (20130101); G06F 3/0443 (20190501); G06F
3/016 (20130101); G06F 2203/04104 (20130101); G06F
2203/04105 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
3/01 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2004-177993 |
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Jun 2004 |
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JP |
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2004-177993 |
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Jun 2004 |
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JP |
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2006-018505 |
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Jan 2006 |
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JP |
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2006-018505 |
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Jan 2006 |
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JP |
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2011-223285 |
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Nov 2011 |
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JP |
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2011-223285 |
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Nov 2011 |
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JP |
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2013-516703 |
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May 2013 |
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JP |
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2013-516703 |
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May 2013 |
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JP |
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2014-179800 |
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Sep 2014 |
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JP |
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2014-179800 |
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Sep 2014 |
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JP |
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2015-056005 |
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Mar 2015 |
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JP |
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Other References
International Search Report issued in connection with
PCT/JP2018/021656, dated Jul. 24, 2018. (2 pages). cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Piziali; Jeff
Attorney, Agent or Firm: K&L Gates LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An electronic apparatus comprising: an apparatus body that
includes a principal surface, and a peripheral surface that is held
by a user; a pressure detector that is arranged on a pair of long
sides of the peripheral surface, and detects a holding force that
acts on the peripheral surface on both of the long sides; and a
controller that controls an operation of the apparatus body
according to a temporal change in the holding force detected by the
pressure detector, the temporal change detected based on a single
grip manipulation including a plurality of press positions on one
of the long sides, a first press position of the plurality of press
positions on the one long side having a length of manipulation time
below a time threshold and a second press position of the plurality
of press positions on the one long side having a length of
manipulation time above the time threshold, wherein the pressure
detector includes a circuit board having a plurality of detection
electrodes included therein, a metal layer, and a plurality of
supports provided between the circuit board and the metal layer,
each of the plurality of detection electrodes included in the
circuit board having a first support of the plurality of supports
in contact with the metal layer and the circuit board on a first
side, and a second support of the plurality of supports in contact
with the metal layer and the circuit board on a second side
opposite the first side.
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a storage that stores therein a pattern of the temporal
change in the holding force associated with the operation of the
apparatus body, wherein the controller includes a determination
section that determines whether there is a grip manipulation with
respect to the apparatus body according to an output from the
pressure detector, and a checkup section that checks the grip
manipulation against the pattern of the temporal change, the
pattern of the temporal change corresponding to the grip
manipulation.
3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
pattern of the temporal change includes information regarding a
manipulation time of the grip manipulation.
4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
pattern of the temporal change includes information regarding a
pressing force of the grip manipulation.
5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising an acceleration detector that detects an acceleration
that acts on the apparatus body, wherein the controller controls
the operation of the apparatus body according to an output from the
pressure detector and an output from the acceleration detector.
6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
pressure detector includes an electrostatic pressure-sensitive
sensor that includes a plurality of capacitive elements arranged
along the peripheral surface.
7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
apparatus body further includes a display section that is arranged
on the principal surface.
8. An information processing device comprising: a determination
section that determines whether there is a grip manipulation with
respect to an apparatus body, which includes a peripheral surface,
according to an output from a pressure detector that detects a
holding force that acts on the apparatus body, wherein the pressure
detector is arranged on a pair of long sides of the peripheral
surface and includes a circuit board having a plurality of
detection electrodes included therein, a metal layer, and a
plurality of supports provided between the circuit board and the
metal layer, each of the plurality of detection electrodes included
in the circuit board having a first support of the plurality of
supports in contact with the metal layer and the circuit board on a
first side, and a second support of the plurality of supports in
contact with the metal layer and the circuit board on a second side
opposite the first side; a storage that stores therein a pattern of
a temporal change in the holding force associated with an operation
of the apparatus body; and a checkup section that checks the grip
manipulation against the pattern of the temporal change, the
pattern of the temporal change corresponding to the grip
manipulation, the temporal change detected based on a single grip
manipulation including a plurality of press positions on one of the
long sides, a first press position of the plurality of press
positions on the one long side having a length of manipulation time
below a time threshold and a second press position of the plurality
of press positions on the one long side having a length of
manipulation time above the time threshold.
9. An information processing method comprising: determining whether
there is a grip manipulation with respect to an apparatus body,
which includes a peripheral surface, according to an output from a
pressure detector that detects a holding force that acts on the
apparatus body, wherein the pressure detector is arranged on a pair
of long sides of the peripheral surface and includes a circuit
board having a plurality of detection electrodes included therein,
a metal layer, and a plurality of supports provided between the
circuit board and the metal layer, each of the plurality of
detection electrodes included in the circuit board having a first
support of the plurality of supports in contact with the metal
layer and the circuit board on a first side, and a second support
of the plurality of supports in contact with the metal layer and
the circuit board on a second side opposite the first side;
checking the grip manipulation against a pattern of a temporal
change in the holding force associated with an operation of the
apparatus body, the temporal change detected based on a single grip
manipulation including a plurality of press positions on one of the
long sides, a first press position of the plurality of press
positions on the one long side having a length of manipulation time
below a time threshold and a second press position of the plurality
of press positions on the one long side having a length of
manipulation time above the time threshold; and generating a
control signal that starts the operation corresponding to the
pattern of the temporal change in the holding force.
10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time
threshold is used to determine whether pressure detected at each of
the first press position and the second press position detect is a
short press or a long press.
11. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
controller controls the operation of the apparatus body according
to the temporal change in the single grip manipulation and a pose
state of the apparatus body when the single grip manipulation
occurs.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present technology relates to an electronic apparatus that can
be manipulated with one hand, an information processing device, and
an information processing method.
BACKGROUND ART
Portable electronic apparatuses such as a smartphone have been
widely spread. In recent years, as a sensor used for an electronic
apparatus, a sensor is known that has a configuration that makes it
possible to detect an operation position and a pressing force on an
input operation surface on which an input operation is performed by
an operating member (for example, refer to Patent Literature
1).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.
2015-56005
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
Electronic apparatuses such as a smartphone are typically
manipulated through an input manipulation surface of a display
section or a physical switch of its body.
However, depending on the usage environment and the usage form,
there may be difficulty in a manipulation performance, and this may
result in a malfunction.
In view of the circumstances described above, it is an object of
the present technology to provide an electronic apparatus, an
information processing device, and an information processing method
that make it possible to obtain a desired function with a simpler
manipulation.
Solution to Problem
An electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
technology includes an apparatus body, a pressure detector, and a
controller.
The apparatus body includes a principal surface, and a peripheral
surface that is held by a user.
The pressure detector is arranged on the peripheral surface, and
detects a holding force that acts on the peripheral surface.
The controller controls an operation of the apparatus body
according to a temporal change in the holding force detected by the
pressure detector.
The electronic apparatus makes it possible to perform a specified
input manipulation by a grip manipulation being performed with
respect to the apparatus body. This makes it possible to provide a
desired function using a simpler manipulation.
The electronic apparatus may further include a storage that stores
therein a pattern of the temporal change in the holding force
associated with the operation of the apparatus body, and the
controller may include a determination section and a checkup
section. The determination section determines whether there is a
grip manipulation with respect to the apparatus body according to
an output from the pressure detector. The checkup section checks
the grip manipulation against the pattern of the temporal change,
the pattern of the temporal change corresponding to the grip
manipulation.
It is possible to perform various manipulations just using the grip
manipulation, by storing a plurality of the patterns of the
temporal change, the patterns of the temporal change being patterns
corresponding to the grip manipulation.
The pattern of the temporal change may include information
regarding a manipulation time of the grip manipulation, or may
include information regarding a pressing force of the grip
manipulation, or may include both of them.
The electronic apparatus may further include an acceleration
detector that detects an acceleration that acts on the apparatus
body, and the controller may be configured to control the operation
of the apparatus body according to an output from the pressure
detector and an output from the acceleration detector.
The pressure detector may include an electrostatic
pressure-sensitive sensor that includes a plurality of capacitive
elements arranged along the peripheral surface.
The apparatus body may further include a display section that is
arranged on the principal surface.
An information processing device includes a determination section,
a storage, and a checkup section.
The determination section determines whether there is a grip
manipulation with respect to an apparatus body according to an
output from a pressure detector that detects a holding force that
acts on the apparatus body.
The storage stores therein a pattern of a temporal change in the
holding force associated with an operation of the apparatus
body.
The checkup section checks the grip manipulation against the
pattern of the temporal change, the pattern of the temporal change
corresponding to the grip manipulation.
An information processing method includes determining whether there
is a grip manipulation with respect to an apparatus body according
to an output from a pressure detector that detects a holding force
that acts on the apparatus body.
The grip manipulation is checked against a pattern of a temporal
change in the holding force associated with an operation of the
apparatus body.
A control signal is generated that starts the operation
corresponding to the pattern of the temporal change in the holding
force.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
As described above, the present technology makes it possible to
obtain a desired function with a simpler manipulation.
Note that the effect described here is not necessarily limitative
and may be any effect described in the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an entire configuration
of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present technology.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration
of the electronic apparatus.
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a relationship between an
apparatus body and a pressure detector in the electronic apparatus,
as viewed from the front direction.
FIG. 4 is a primary-portion cross-sectional view schematically
illustrating a structure of the pressure detector.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a primary portion of a circuit board.
FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an example of an input of a grip
manipulation.
FIG. 7A is a correspondence table illustrating an example of a
relationship between a grip pattern and a function of the apparatus
body.
FIG. 7B is a correspondence table illustrating an example of a
relationship between a grip pattern and a function of the apparatus
body.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of
processing performed by a controller of the electronic
apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of
processing for setting a function that is performed by the
controller.
FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a correspondence relationship
between a grip pattern and a function in the electronic apparatus
according to a second embodiment of the present technology.
FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a correspondence relationship
between a grip pattern and a function in the electronic apparatus
according to a third embodiment of the present technology.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of
processing performed by the controller of the electronic
apparatus.
FIG. 13A is a primary-portion cross-sectional view schematically
illustrating another example of a configuration of the pressure
detector.
FIG. 13B is a schematic plan view of an electrode structure of the
pressure detector of FIG. 13A.
MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiments according to the present technology will now be
described below with reference to the drawings.
First Embodiment
[Entire Configuration]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an entire configuration
of an electronic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the
present technology. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram
illustrating the configuration of the electronic apparatus 100.
The electronic apparatus 100 is typically a smartphone. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, the electronic apparatus 100 includes an
apparatus body 10 having a size that can be held by a user with one
hand. The apparatus body 10 has a substantially rectangular shape,
where an X-axis direction corresponds to its side in the lateral
direction and a Y-axis direction corresponds to its side in the
longitudinal direction, as viewed from the front.
The apparatus body 10 includes a principal surface 11 that is
situated in the front, and a peripheral surface 12 that is held by
a user.
A display section 13 is arranged over a large portion of the
principal surface 11. A touch sensor 14 (refer to FIG. 2) is
arranged on the display section 13 in an integrated manner, the
touch sensor 14 detecting a position on which manipulation is
performed with, for example, the finger of a user or a stylus.
Further, an earpiece (not illustrated) is provided near an upper
end of the principal surface 11, and a mouthpiece (not illustrated)
is provided near a lower end of the principal surface 11.
The display section 13 includes, for example, a liquid crystal
display or an electro-luminescence (EL) display. A capacitive
sensor is typically used as the touch sensor 14, but the touch
sensor 14 is not limited to this. For example, a resistive sensor
may be used.
A pressure detector 20 is arranged on the peripheral surface 12.
The pressure detector 20 is capable of detecting a user's holding
force (a grip manipulation) that acts on the peripheral surface 12.
The pressure detector 20 includes a pressure-sensitive sensor
capable of detecting a pressing force that acts on the peripheral
surface 12, and is typically arranged in a pair of long sides 121
parallel to the Y-axis direction.
The pressure detector 20 includes an electrostatic
pressure-sensitive sensor that includes a plurality of capacitive
elements arranged along the peripheral surface 12, and is arranged
almost all over the long sides 121. This makes it possible to
detect a holding force at any position, and thus to detect a grip
manipulation without causing a user to become aware of a
manipulation position.
Instead of this, the pressure detector 20 may be arranged in a
specified region of the long side 121 (for example, in an upper
portion, a lower portion, or a central portion). Such a
configuration is applicable to an apparatus in which a position of
a grip manipulation is designated in advance.
The pressure detector 20 may include single sensors successively
arranged in the Y-axis direction, or may include a plurality of
sensor groups spaced from one another in the Y-axis direction. The
pressure detector 20 may be capable of detecting not only a
pressing force but also a pressing position, or may be capable of
detecting a plurality of pressing positions at the same time.
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a relationship between the
apparatus body 10 and the pressure detector 20, as viewed from the
front direction.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the pressure detector 20 is provided on a
peripheral surface of a housing 1 of the apparatus body 10. The
housing 1 is made of metallic material or synthetic resin material,
and constitutes the exterior of the apparatus body 10. FIG. 3
illustrates an example of three pressure detectors 20 being
arranged in each long side of the housing 1, but of course the
configuration is not limited to this. Each pressure detector 20 is
covered with a protection cover 2 provided on the peripheral
surface of the housing 1. The protection cover 2 is typically made
of an elastically deformable material such as rubber or elastomer,
and the protection cover 2 protects the apparatus body 10 from a
drop impact and transmits a holding force that acts on the
apparatus body 10 to the pressure detector 20.
FIG. 4 is a primary-portion cross-sectional view schematically
illustrating a structure of the pressure detector 20.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the pressure detector 20 is arranged
between the housing 1 (the peripheral surface 12 of the apparatus
body 10) and the flexible protection cover 2. The pressure detector
20 includes a circuit board 21, a first metal layer 22, a second
metal layer 23, a first support 24, and a second support 25.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a primary portion of the circuit board 21.
The circuit board 21 includes a plurality of capacitive elements
21s arranged in the Y-axis direction. Each capacitive element 21s
is configured by a common electrode 211 and an individual electrode
212 being arranged to face each other, the common electrode 211 and
the individual electrode 212 each being in the form of comb teeth.
Each capacitive element 21s is electrically connected to a
controller 40, and is driven by receiving an input signal from the
controller 40.
The first and second metal layers 22 and 23 are formed of metallic
foil, such as copper foil, that is fixed to an outer surface of the
housing 1 (the peripheral surface 12) and to an inner surface of
the protection cover 2, and are each typically connected to a
ground potential. The first and second supports 24 and 25 are
constituted of a plurality of columns elastically deformable in the
X-axis direction. The first support 24 is arranged between the
first metal layer 22 and the circuit board 21, and the second
support 25 is arranged between the second metal layer 23 and the
circuit board 21. The first and second supports 24 and 25 are
arranged to be aligned across the circuit board 21 in the X-axis
direction.
When the pressure detector 20 configured as described above is
subjected to a pressing force that acts on a surface 201 of the
protection cover 2, a relative distance between the circuit board
21, and the first and second metal layers 22 and 23 is locally
changed. An amount of the change is detected according to a change
in capacitance between the common electrode 211 and the individual
electrode 212 in each capacitive element 21s. Typically, the
position of the capacitive element 21s exhibiting a largest amount
of a change in capacitance is detected as a position of a pressing
manipulation.
In the present embodiment, a mutual-capacitance scheme is used to
detect a change in capacitance of each capacitive element 21s. The
mutual-capacitance scheme is a scheme for measuring the proximity
of a ground electrode of, for example, a human body or a metallic
plate, using a change in capacitance between two detection
electrodes (the common electrode 211 and the individual electrode
212). The capacitance in the two detection electrodes looks
decreased due to the proximity of the grounded human body or
metallic plate.
In general, a mutual-capacitance sensor is used for a
multi-touchable touch panel. In the multi-touchable touch panel,
160 pairs of detection electrodes can be provided by forming, for
example, 16.times.10 wires in a matrix in an XY direction, and this
enables each pair to individually detect the proximity of a finger.
As a pressure sensor, it is possible to detect a pressure applied
on a metallic surface instead of the proximity of a finger, by
covering, with a pressure deformable metallic plate, a surface of
the wiring in a matrix in the XY direction to obtain a grounded
conductive layer. For example, since the deformation of a metallic
plate can be detected for each of the 160 pairs of detection
electrodes, it is possible to estimate not only coordinates of a
plurality of pressure points in the XY direction, but also a
pressure in a Z direction. Here, the provision of the two detection
electrodes in the form of comb teeth, as illustrated in FIG. 5,
makes it easy to combine the capacitance of the detection
electrodes and the capacitance of the metallic plate, and makes it
possible to accurately detect a change in capacitance.
Next, as illustrated in FIG. 2, in addition to the display section
13 and the touch sensor 14, the electronic apparatus 100 includes a
motion sensor 15, an image-capturing section 16, a communication
section 17, a speaker 18, a microphone 19, a storage 30, a light
31, and the controller 40.
The motion sensor 15 is a sensor that detects a pose and a motion
of the apparatus body 10. Examples of the motion sensor 15 include
an acceleration sensor, an angular rate sensor, a geomagnetic
sensor, and an atmospheric-pressure (a combination of at least two
thereof may be acceptable). The acceleration sensor may be a
three-axis acceleration sensor that is capable of detecting
respective accelerations in the directions of three axes. Likewise,
the angular rate sensor may be a three-axis sensor that is capable
of detecting respective angular rates of rotation about three
axes.
The image-capturing section 17 includes an optical system such as
an objective or an imaging lens, and an imaging element, such as a
complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor or a charge
coupled device (CCD) sensor, that converts, into an electric
signal, light captured through the optical system. The
image-capturing section 17 generates image data from the signal
obtained by the imaging performed by the imaging element, and
provides the image data to the controller 40.
The communication section 17 includes a communication module
including an antenna, and transmits and receives radio waves for a
phone call and radio waves for packet communication such as an
email and Web data. The communication section 17 may include a
Near-field radio communication (NFC) module.
The speaker 18 includes, for example, a digital-analog converter
and an amplifier. The speaker 18 performs a digital-analog
conversion process and an amplification process with respect to
sound data for a phone call that is input by the controller 40, and
outputs sound via the earpiece.
The microphone 19 includes, for example, an analog-digital
converter. The microphone 19 converts, into digital sound data, the
analog sound data input by a user via the mouthpiece, and outputs
the digital sound data to the controller 40. The digital sound data
output to the controller 40 is encoded, and then the encoded
digital sound data is transmitted through the communication section
17.
The light 31 includes a light-emitting element of a light emitting
diode (LED) that is provided at an appropriate position in the
apparatus body 10, and is configured such that the light 31 can be
turned on by a user's manipulation.
The storage 30 includes a volatile memory used as a work region for
the controller 40, and a nonvolatile memory that stores therein
various programs necessary for the controller 40 to perform
processing. The various programs may be read from a portable
recording medium such as an optical disk or a semiconductor memory,
or may be downloaded from a server device on a network.
The storage 30 stores therein a pattern of a temporal change in a
holding force associated with an operation of the apparatus body
10. The pattern of a temporal change in a holding force typically
includes information related to a manipulation time and a pressing
force of a grip manipulation that are detected by the pressure
detector 20. The manipulation time of a grip manipulation is a time
from the start to the termination of the grip manipulation, and, in
the present embodiment, the manipulation time of a grip
manipulation is referred to when a determination of "long press" or
"short press" is performed. On the other hand, the pressing force
of the grip manipulation is a magnitude of a pressing force for
each grip manipulation (such as a maximum value and an average
value), and, in the present embodiment, it is referred to when a
determination of "tight grip" or "gentle grip" is performed.
The storage 30 stores therein a plurality of the patterns of a
temporal change in a holding force in association with a
corresponding operation mode of the apparatus body 10, the pattern
including one type of the holding force or a combination of at
least two types of the holding forces. The operation mode is not
particularly limited, and examples of the operation mode include a
phone call mode, an image-capturing mode, data transmission mode,
and a light-turning-on mode.
The controller 40 includes, for example, a central processing unit
(CPU). The controller 40 performs various operations using various
programs stored in the storage 30, and is configured as an
information processing device that integrally controls each
component of the electronic apparatus 100.
The controller 40 is configured to control an operation of the
apparatus body 10 according to a temporal change in a user's
holding force detected by the pressure detector 20. In the present
embodiment, the controller 40 includes a determination section 41
and a checkup section 42.
The determination section 41 is configured to determine whether
there is a grip manipulation with respect to the apparatus body 10
according to an output from the pressure detector 20. The
determination section 41 includes an AD converter that converts the
output (an analog signal) from the pressure detector 20 into a
digital signal. When the output from the pressure detector 20 is a
digital signal, the AD converter is omitted.
FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an example of an input of a grip
manipulation, where the horizontal axis represents a time and the
vertical axis represents a holding force.
The determination section 41 sets a first threshold Th1 for the
output (a signal including an amount of a change in capacitance of
the capacitive element 21s, and the same applies hereinafter) from
the pressure detector 20, in order to distinguish a holding
manipulation from a grip manipulation, the holding manipulation
being a user's manipulation of just holding the apparatus body 10,
the grip manipulation being a user's manipulation of inputting
information to the apparatus body 10. When the output from the
pressure detector 20 is greater than the first threshold Th1, the
determination section 41 determines that a grip manipulation has
been input and performs a checkup process using the checkup section
42. On the other hand, when the output from the pressure detector
20 is less than the first threshold Th1, the determination section
41 determines that the output is not performed due to a grip
manipulation, and invalidates the input in order to prevent a
malfunction of the electronic apparatus.
Further, the determination section 41 sets a second threshold Th2
for the output from the pressure detector 20, in order to determine
whether a user's grip force is strong or weak, the second threshold
Th2 being greater than the first threshold Th1. When the output
from the pressure detector 20 is not less than the second threshold
(for example, refer to patterns 1 and 3 in FIG. 6), the
determination section 41 determines that the grip manipulation is
"tight grip", and when the output from the pressure detector 20 is
not less than the first threshold and not greater than the second
threshold (for example, refer to a pattern 2 in FIG. 6), the
determination section 41 determines that the grip manipulation is
"gentle grip".
The magnitude of the first threshold Th1 is not particularly
limited, and an appropriate value (an appropriate amount of a
change in capacitance) is set in terms of a manipulation
performance and the prevention of a malfunction. The magnitude of
the second threshold Th2 is also not particularly limited, and an
appropriate value (an appropriate amount of a change in
capacitance) is set that makes it possible to differentiate between
a tight-grip manipulation and a gentle-grip manipulation.
The second threshold Th2 does not have to be a fixed value, and may
dynamically vary depending on, for example, a grip speed. In other
words, for example, the determination section 41 may be configured
to set the second threshold Th2 to be relatively low when the grip
speed is relatively fast, and to set the second threshold Th2 to be
relatively high when the grip speed is relatively slow.
Further, the determination section 41 sets a threshold Tth used to
determine the duration of a single grip manipulation (hereinafter
referred to as a grip time). When the grip time is less than the
threshold Tth (for example, refer to the patterns 1 and 2 (times T1
and T2) in FIG. 6), the determination section 41 determines that
the grip time exhibits "short press", and when the grip time is not
less than the threshold Tth (for example, refer to the pattern 3
(time T3) in FIG. 6), the determination section 41 determines that
the grip time exhibits "long press".
The checkup section 42 is configured to check a grip manipulation
against a corresponding pattern of a temporal change (hereinafter
also referred to as a grip pattern). The grip pattern includes
information regarding whether a grip force is strong or weak, or
whether a grip time is long or short. Typically, a function of the
apparatus body 10 is allocated, the function corresponding to a set
of patterns of a combination of a strong grip force and a weak grip
force in multiple grip manipulations, or a set of patterns of a
combination of a long grip time and a short grip time in multiple
grip manipulations.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are correspondence tables illustrating an example
of a relationship between a grip pattern and a function of the
apparatus body 10. FIG. 7A illustrates a correspondence
relationship in which a grip time in a grip manipulation is used as
a detection parameter, and FIG. 7B illustrates a correspondence
relationship in which a grip force in a grip manipulation is used
as a detection parameter.
In FIG. 7A, "0" corresponds to "short press" representing a
short-grip time, and "1" corresponds to "long press" representing a
long-grip time. In the example of FIG. 7A, a function of "call for
A" is activated when all of the three grip times exhibit "short
press", and a function of "call for B" is activated when the
first-time grip time and the second-time grip time exhibit "short
press" and the third-time grip time exhibits "long press".
Likewise, a function of "image-capturing with camera" using the
image-capturing section 16 is activated when the first-time grip
time exhibits "long press", the second-time grip time exhibits
"short press", and the third-time grip time exhibits "long press".
Further, "start of sound recording", "screen shot", "start of video
shooting", "light turned on", and the like are allocated according
to the grip pattern. These functions are examples, and additions or
modifications may be made thereto as appropriate according to the
type of the electronic apparatus 100 or the taste of a user.
In FIG. 7B, "0" corresponds to "gentle grip" representing a weak
grip force, and "1" corresponds to "tight grip" representing a
strong grip force. In the example of FIG. 7B, the function of "call
for A" is activated when all of the three grip forces exhibit
"gentle grip", and the function of "call for B" is activated when
the first-time grip force and the second-time grip force exhibit
"gentle grip", and the third-time grip force exhibits "tight grip".
Likewise, the function of "image-capturing with camera" using the
image-capturing section 16 is activated when the first-time grip
force exhibits "tight grip", the second-time grip force is "gentle
grip", and the third-time grip force exhibits "tight grip.
The correspondence relationships between a grip pattern and a
function are stored in the storage 30. In this case, the length and
the magnitude of a grip manipulation are each encoded with "0" and
"1", the two values described above. Not only a grip pattern with
one of a grip time or a grip force, but also a grip pattern with a
combination thereof may be applied. This makes it possible to
combine functions or expand the functionality.
<Operation of Electronic Apparatus>
Next, the controller 40 is described in detail together with a
typical operation of the electronic apparatus 100.
Operation Example 1
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of
processing performed by the controller 40. In this example, a
procedure of a control that determines an operation of the
electronic apparatus 100 is described using the correspondence
table illustrated in FIG. 7A.
For example, the controller 40 executes a dedicated application to
activate a mode of detecting a grip pattern for waiting for a grip
manipulation of a user (S101).
The controller 40 (the determination section 41) measures a holding
force on the electronic apparatus 100 according to an output from
the pressure detector 20. When the holding force is not less than
the first threshold Th1, the controller 40 determines that a
holding operation of the user is a grip manipulation and measures a
grip time (S102, S103). When the grip time is not less than the
threshold Tth, the controller 40 determines that the grip time
exhibits "long press" and stores a code "1" in the storage 30, and
when the grip time is less than the threshold Tth, the controller
40 determines that the grip time exhibits "short press" and stores
a code "0" in the storage 30 (S104, S105). The controller 40
repeats the processes described above three times (S106).
The controller (the checkup section 42) chronologically reads the
three codes stored in the storage 30, and checks the three codes
against grip patterns that correspond to various functions and are
stored in the storage 30 in advance (S107). When the input three
codes correspond to one of the grip patterns in the storage 30, the
controller 40 generates a control instruction for activating an
operation allocated to the corresponding grip pattern (S108).
As described above, the electronic apparatus 100 of the present
embodiment makes it possible to perform a specified input
manipulation by a specified grip manipulation being performed with
respect to the apparatus body 10. This makes it possible to provide
a desired function using a simpler manipulation without the
necessity of performing a touch manipulation with respect to the
display section 13.
Although there exists sound recognition as an input method other
than a touch manipulation performed on the display section 13, it
is not suitable to use the sound recognition under a circumstance
in which the production of sound is to be avoided. Further,
although there exists a method for manipulating a physical button
while feeling around for the physical button, there is a
possibility that it is not possible to manipulate the button
accurately by feeling around for an apparatus in a pocket or a bag
without a visual confirmation.
On the other hand, the present embodiment makes it possible to
provide an intended function just by performing a grip manipulation
with respect to the apparatus body 10, and thus to perform an
accurate manipulation without visually confirming the apparatus
body 10.
Further, the present embodiment makes it possible to determine a
grip manipulation performed with respect to any position, since the
pressure detector 20 is provided almost all over the peripheral
surface 12 (the long sides 121). This makes it possible to perform
a simple and accurate input manipulation just by gripping any
position.
The function performing mode with a grip time being used as a
detection parameter, has been described above, but it is not
limited to this. The function performing mode with a grip force
being used as a detection parameter, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, may
be used.
Operation Example 2
Next, a method for setting a function of the electronic apparatus
100 that is activated by a grip manipulation being performed, is
described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a
procedure of processing for setting a function that is performed by
the controller 40.
First, in the controller 40, a function that is to be allocated by
a registration is specified in a function registration mode (S201).
The function to be specified is determined by a user performing
manipulation of selecting the function from a list of functions
displayed on the display section 13.
Next, the controller 40 enters into a grip-manipulation detecting
mode for accepting a grip manipulation allocated to the specified
function (S202). In this example, as in the case of FIG. 7A, the
case in which the grips times in three grip manipulations (long
press or short press) are used as registration parameters, is
described, but the number of times (the number of digits) is not
limited to this. Further, instead of, or in addition to the grip
time, the grip force (strong or weak) may be used as a registration
parameter.
The controller 40 detects a grip time when the controller 40
detects a grip manipulation (S203, S204). When the grip
manipulation has not been detected for a specified time period, the
controller 40 displays, on the display section 13, a message to
encourage the user to perform a grip manipulation (S205). Regarding
such a display of reminder, a warning beep may be emitted from the
speaker 18 instead of, or in addition to the screen display.
When the grip time is not less than the threshold Tth, the
controller 40 determines that the grip time exhibits "long press"
and stores the code "1" in the storage 30, and when the grip time
is less than the threshold Tth, the controller 40 determines that
the grip time exhibits "short press" and stores the code "0" in the
storage 30 (S206, S207). The controller 40 repeats the processes
described above three times (S208).
After the controller 40 determines the three grip times, the
controller 40 displays each code (grip pattern) stored in the
storage 30 on the display section 13 (S209). When the user performs
a registration confirmation, the controller 40 stores the grip
pattern in the storage 30 in association with a preselected
function, and displays a determination of registered contents on
the display section 13 (S210, 5211, and S212). On the other hand,
when the registration confirmation has not been performed (or when
a registration has been rejected), the controller 40 erases the
grip pattern from the storage 30 (S213).
As described above, the present embodiment makes it possible to
perform a discretionary customization to associate a grip pattern
with a function, and thus to set a grip pattern depending on the
taste of a user.
This operation example is also applicable to setting of an
authentication password for logging in to the electronic apparatus
100.
Second Embodiment
FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a correspondence relationship
between a grip pattern and a function in the electronic apparatus
according to a second embodiment of the present technology.
A component different from that of the first embodiment is
primarily described below. The same components as those of the
first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference symbols and
descriptions thereof will be omitted or simplified.
In the present embodiment, the grip pattern includes two detection
parameters of a grip force and a grip time, and four functions are
allocated to combinations of a strong or weak grip force and a long
or short grip time in a single grip manipulation. The strong or
weak grip force is determined on the basis of the second threshold
Th2 described above (refer to FIG. 6), and the long or short grip
time is determined on the basis of the threshold Tth described
above.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, audio time-guidance is activated when
the grip force is weak with a long press, and a screen shot is
activated when the grip force is weak with a short press. On the
other hand, shooting with a camera is activated when the grip force
is strong with a long press, and video shooting is started when the
grip force is strong with a short press. These functions are just
examples, and the function can be changed as appropriate depending
on the type of the electronic apparatus 100 or the taste of a
user.
The present embodiment makes it possible to perform a desired
function quickly without making a request for a user to perform a
plurality of grip manipulations, since it is possible to perform a
manipulation of selecting a function according to a grip force and
a grip time in a single grip manipulation.
The combination is not limited to this, and grip forces and grip
times in multiple grip manipulations may be combined. This makes it
possible to further expand the selectable functionality. Further,
the use of the present technology for inputting or setting an
authentication password results in a further improvement in
security.
Third Embodiment
FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a correspondence relationship
between a grip pattern and a function in the electronic apparatus
according to a third embodiment of the present technology.
A component different from that of the first embodiment is
primarily described below. The same components as those of the
first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference symbols and
descriptions thereof will be omitted or simplified.
The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in
that an operation of the apparatus body 10 is controlled according
to an output from the pressure detector 20 (grip pattern) and an
output from the motion sensor 15 (information regarding a pose of
the apparatus body 10). Examples of the information regarding a
pose of the apparatus body 10 include pose states (upward,
downward, face-up, face-down, in a stationary state, and in a
moving state) of the apparatus body 10 based on the output from the
motion sensor 15 such as an output from an acceleration sensor.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of
processing performed by the controller 40 in the present
embodiment.
While monitoring a pose state of the apparatus body 10, the
controller 40 detects whether there is a grip manipulation with
respect to the apparatus body 10 (the peripheral surface 12)
according to an output from the motion sensor 15 (S301, S302). When
the controller 40 detects a grip manipulation, the controller 40
determines both the pose state of the apparatus body 10 at that
time and the grip time of the grip manipulation (S303, S304). The
controller 40 performs a function corresponding to a result of the
determinations (S305).
In the present embodiment, in a state in which the display section
13 of the apparatus body 10 is oriented upward (a pose of being
laid face-up), Near-field radio communication (NFC) is started when
the grip force exhibits a value not less than a specified value, as
illustrated in FIG. 11. Such a function can be performed when the
electronic apparatus 100 is used as a contactless communication
tag, such as when passing through an automated ticket gate or
making payment at a shop.
In the present embodiment, in a state in which the speaker 18 of
the apparatus body 10 is oriented upward, the volume of the speaker
18 is increased when the grip force exhibits a value not less than
a specified value, and the volume of the speaker 18 is decreased
when the grip force exhibits a value less than a specified value.
Such functions can be performed, for example, during a call using
the electronic apparatus 100. Further, in the present embodiment, a
social networking system (SNS) is started, for example, when
gripping the apparatus body 10 tightly while moving the apparatus
body 10 rapidly, such as when shaking the apparatus body 10 up and
down.
As described above, the combination use of a grip parameter and a
pose state of the apparatus body makes it possible to provide a
form of a manipulation input, such as a gesture input. This makes
it possible to provide various input forms and to expand
corresponding functionality.
Modifications
Although the embodiments of the present technology have been
described above, of course the present technology is not limited
only to the embodiments described above and various modifications
may be made thereto.
For example, in the embodiments described above, the structure
illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is used for the pressure detector 20,
but the structure of the pressure detector 20 is not limited to
this. The number of metal layers having a ground potential may
typically be one. In a smallest configuration, a sensor itself even
does not have to include a metal layer, since a metallic housing
can replace the metal layer as a modified metal layer.
The mutual-capacitance sensor is used for the pressure detector 20,
but a self-capacitance sensor may be used instead. FIG. 13A is a
primary-portion cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a
pressure detector 120 that includes a self-capacitance sensor, and
FIG. 13B is a schematic plan view of an electrode structure of the
pressure detector 120.
As illustrated in FIG. 13A, the pressure detector 120 is provided
between the housing 1 (the peripheral surface 12 of the apparatus
body 10) and the protection cover 2. The pressure detector 120
includes a circuit board 121, a metal layer 122, and a support 124.
As illustrated in FIG. 13B, the circuit board 121 includes, as
capacitive elements, a plurality of detection electrodes 213
arranged in the Y-axis direction. Each detection electrode 213 is
electrically connected to the controller 40 through a wiring
portion 214. In order to prevent the concentration of the electric
field, it is desirable that each detection electrode 213 have a
shape of a planar circle or rectangle and be formed to have tapered
or rounded four corners, as illustrated in the figure. Likewise, it
is also desirable that curved portions 215 in the wiring portion
214 be formed to be curved not at a right angle, but to be curved
at, for example, an angle of 45 degrees by step by step, as
illustrated in the figure.
The metal layer 122 is formed of metallic foil, such as copper
foil, that is fixed to an inner surface of the protection cover 2.
The supports 124 are constituted of a plurality of columns
elastically deformable in the X-axis direction. The support 124 is
arranged between the metal layer 122 and the circuit board 121.
The self-capacitance sensor is a scheme for measuring the proximity
of a ground electrode of, for example, a human body or a metallic
plate, using a change in capacitance in each detection electrode
213, and is generally used for a capacitive touch switch. As a
pressure sensor, it is also considered a capacitor whose shape is
changed due to pressure. The capacitance in the detection electrode
213 looks increased due to the proximity of the grounded human body
or metallic plate. Regarding wiring to a detection electrode for
which a change in capacitance is measured, the number of pieces of
wiring that is equal to the number of detections to be separately
performed is necessary for the self-capacitance sensor. A change in
capacitance can be easily designed using the area, the distance,
and the permittivity between a ground electrode (the metal layer
122) and a detection electrode (the detection electrode 213).
In addition to the sensor using a change in capacitance, a sensor
using a change in resistance, a sensor using a change in magnetic
field due to metallic deformation, a sensor using a piezoelectric
effect, and the like can be used as a pressure sensor.
In the embodiments described above, the examples of applying the
present technology to a smartphone that is an electronic apparatus
have been described.
However, the application is not limited to this, and the present
technology is also applicable to other electronic apparatuses such
as a portable music player. In this case, it is possible to, for
example, select a musical number and adjust the volume of sound
just by performing a grip manipulation with respect to an apparatus
body without using a dedicated controller.
Further, in the embodiments described above, the grip time and the
grip force are used as a detection parameter of a grip
manipulation. However, the detection parameter is not limited to
this, and, for example, a change in grip position (a change in
pressure distribution) and a tap manipulation (an instantaneous
output from a pressure detector) may be included as a detection
parameter.
Note that the present technology may also take the following
configurations.
(1) An electronic apparatus including:
an apparatus body that includes a principal surface, and a
peripheral surface that is held by a user;
a pressure detector that is arranged on the peripheral surface, and
detects a holding force that acts on the peripheral surface;
and
a controller that controls an operation of the apparatus body
according to a temporal change in the holding force detected by the
pressure detector.
(2) The electronic apparatus according to (1), further including a
storage that stores therein a pattern of the temporal change in the
holding force associated with the operation of the apparatus body,
in which
the controller includes a determination section that determines
whether there is a grip manipulation with respect to the apparatus
body according to an output from the pressure detector, and a
checkup section that checks the grip manipulation against the
pattern of the temporal change, the pattern of the temporal change
corresponding to the grip manipulation. (3) The electronic
apparatus according to (2), in which
the pattern of the temporal change includes information regarding a
manipulation time of the grip manipulation.
(4) The electronic apparatus according to (2) or (3), in which
the pattern of the temporal change includes information regarding a
pressing force of the grip manipulation.
(5) The electronic apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4),
further including an acceleration detector that detects an
acceleration that acts on the apparatus body, in which
the controller controls the operation of the apparatus body
according to an output from the pressure detector and an output
from the acceleration detector.
(6) The electronic apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), in
which
the pressure detector includes an electrostatic pressure-sensitive
sensor that includes a plurality of capacitive elements arranged
along the peripheral surface.
(7) The electronic apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), in
which
the apparatus body further includes a display section that is
arranged on the principal surface.
(8) An information processing device including:
a determination section that determines whether there is a grip
manipulation with respect to an apparatus body according to an
output from a pressure detector that detects a holding force that
acts on the apparatus body;
a storage that stores therein a pattern of a temporal change in the
holding force associated with an operation of the apparatus body;
and
a checkup section that checks the grip manipulation against the
pattern of the temporal change, the pattern of the temporal change
corresponding to the grip manipulation.
(9) An information processing method including:
determining whether there is a grip manipulation with respect to an
apparatus body according to an output from a pressure detector that
detects a holding force that acts on the apparatus body;
checking the grip manipulation against a pattern of a temporal
change in the holding force associated with an operation of the
apparatus body; and
generating a control signal that starts the operation corresponding
to the pattern of the temporal change in the holding force.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
10 apparatus body 11 principal surface 12 peripheral surface 13
display section 20 pressure detector 30 storage 40 controller 41
determination section 42 checkup section 100 electronic
apparatus
* * * * *